Baramulla, Oct 5 (KNS): Commissioner/Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD), J&K, Mandeep Kour on Monday chaired a stakeholders’ consultation meeting on the draft GIS-based Master Plans for Baramulla, Sopore and Pattan being prepared under AMRUT 2.0.

The meeting was held at Dak Bungalow, Baramulla, and was attended by MLA Baramulla Javid Hassan Beigh, MLA Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar, MLA Pattan Reyaz Bedar, MLA Wagoora-Kreeri Irfan Hafeez Lone, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla S.F. Hamid, ADDC Baramulla, ADC Baramulla, ADC Sopore and senior officers from HUDD and other line departments.

Public representatives, stakeholders, representatives of various organisations and members of civil society also participated in the consultation.

At the outset, a detailed presentation on the draft Master Plans was given, outlining proposed planning interventions, land-use considerations, infrastructure requirements, development priorities and other provisions aimed at systematic and sustainable development of the three towns.

Mandeep Kour held detailed discussions with the participants and sought their suggestions and observations on various provisions of the draft plans.

The elected representatives and other stakeholders raised issues concerning urban development, infrastructure, connectivity, public amenities, institutional requirements and other local priorities.

MLA Baramulla Javid Hassan Beigh highlighted the limited availability of state land within Baramulla town and suggested identifying suitable peripheral areas where government offices and projects that do not require daily public access could be shifted.

MLA Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar stressed the need to address the scattered location of government offices and suggested making provision for a Mini Secretariat in Sopore under the Master Plan.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

MLA Wagoora-Kreeri Irfan Hafeez Lone emphasised the need for sustainable and balanced development, with adequate safeguards for agricultural and horticultural land and livelihood interests.

MLA Pattan Reyaz Bedar highlighted the need for widening roads in Pattan town, provision of a truck terminal and effective utilisation of available state land for developmental projects.

Other stakeholders and civil society representatives also raised issues related to land utilisation, infrastructure, connectivity, public amenities, traffic management, institutional requirements and future development of the three towns.

Responding to the suggestions, Mandeep Kour said the Master Plan was an important long-term planning document that would shape the future growth, infrastructure development and urban management of Baramulla, Sopore and Pattan.

She stressed the need for extensive consultation with all stakeholders and urged them to examine the draft Master Plans in detail and submit their representations, suggestions and observations within the prescribed timeline.

She assured that all representations would be examined carefully before the Master Plans are finalised and notified.

Deputy Commissioner Baramulla S.F. Hamid also urged stakeholders, public representatives, departments and members of civil society to examine the draft Master Plan and submit their feedback within 21 days so that their inputs could be duly examined and incorporated.

Later, Mandeep Kour, accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, inspected various sites in Baramulla, including Baramulla Jetty, Janbazpora and other locations, to review ongoing and proposed development works.(KNS)